HAMILTON, Ohio — 4‑H reaches almost six million young people through the community of 100 public universities. Programs are delivered by 3,500 4‑H professionals and 500,000 volunteers. County fairs are just one arena that showcases the efforts of these young people. Like others, when the Mignery family heads off to the Butler County Fair it’s a big deal.

Sophia, age 16, Caroline, 15, Rebekah, 12, and Edward, 10, are in 4-H, showing pygmy goats, rabbits, turkeys, chickens. Often their three younger siblings come to the fair but they’re not yet eligible for 4-H. When they go home it’s an even bigger deal because in addition to all those critters they have to squeeze in a boatload of trophies and ribbons. Their dad, Mark, a member of the fair board, is there to help.

All four kids placed high in their classes, winning several grand and overall championships. Even more awards pour in for special interests including shooting sports, sewing, natural resources, beekeeping, and others.

Sophia and Caroline took part in the very first Animal and Me Class this year. They worked with two special-needs folks, Maria and Brooke. They would visit the Mignery’s home and Sophia and Caroline would show them how to take care of the goats, and how to show them. Brooke couldn’t make it to the show but Maria exhibited Queenie.

“This is quite a chore, doing this with this many kids, said their mom, Allison Mignery. “4-H teaches them a lot of life skills and leadership. They take care of the animals on their own. 

“They plan the breeding schedule, what time of year they want them to be born to be ready for the show,” she said. “The judges told them how their animals need work on a certain area, so they try to plan the breeding around work including that part of the goat.”

They also breed their rabbits for the fair. Allison said. While the rabbits are sold at auction, the pygmy goats, considered a pet, go back home. The family has about 30 goats and a waiting list of people wanting to buy them. Likewise, they are on waiting lists to buy other goats to change the genetics of their herd.

Pygmy goats are considered a pet in the United States, but they’re a dual-purpose goat in Africa, where they originate, yielding meat and milk, Mignery said.

When asked if they enjoyed 4-H, the four replied: “Yes, it’s so much fun coming to the fair; we love showing our animals and working with them.”